Chapter 5

Do not rebuke an elderly man, but exhort him as you would a father, and young men as brothers,

elderly women as mothers, younger women as sisters in all chastity. Widows

Honor widows who are truly widowed.

But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let these first learn to provide for their own household and make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing to God.

But she who is truly a widow, and left solitary, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day.

For she who gives herself up to pleasures is dead while she is still alive.

And command them to be blameless.

But if anyone does not take care of his own, and especially of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Let a widow who is selected be not less than sixty years old, having been married but once,

with a reputation for her good works in bringing up children, in practising hospitality, in washing the saints' feet, in helping those in trouble, in carefully pursuing every good work.

But refuse younger widows, for when they have wantonly turned away from Christ, they wish to marry,

and are to be condemned because they have broken their first troth.

And further, being idle, they learn to go about from house to house, and are not only idle but gossipers as well and busybodies, mentioning things they ought not.

I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule their households, and give the adversary no occasion for abusing us.

For already some have turned aside after Satan.

If any believing woman has widowed relatives, let her provide for them and do not let the Church be burdened, in order that there may be enough for those who are truly widows. Presbyters

Let the presbyters who rule well be held worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching.

For Scripture says, "Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treads out the grain," and, "The laborer is worthy of his wages."

Do not listen to an accusation against a presbyter unless it is supported by two or three witnesses.

When they sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, that the rest also may have fear.

I charge thee before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels that thou observe these things impartially, in no way favoring either side.

Do not lay hands hastily upon anyone, and do not be a partner in other men's sins. Keep thyself chaste.

Stop drinking water only, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thy frequent infirmities.

Some men's sins are manifest even before investigation, other men's sins only afterwards.

In like manner also the good works are manifest, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden.